County to Audit Private Schools Following Fee Hike Complaints

Nairobi County officials have announced plans to conduct a sweeping audit of private schools after a surge in parent complaints over unjustified fee increases. The move follows a wave of grievances lodged in the past week, where parents claimed that several institutions—particularly in the city’s informal settlements—doubled or significantly hiked tuition without justification, in clear violation of Ministry of Education guidelines. Parents have called on regulators to step in, citing financial strain and lack of transparency in fee structures.
The audit initiative is backed by reports that many schools are charging extra levies for items such as remedial lessons, stationery, and development fees—some without issuing receipts or official approvals. One document clarified that some students were being asked to pay Sh 14,000 annually, and then bumped up to Sh 16,500 this term, for no clear reason. County education officials have pledged to partner with the Ministry and directors of education at sub‑county levels to inspect private school accounts, review fee structures, and enforce any breaches of statutory regulations concerning basic education.
The response from parents and advocacy groups has been overwhelmingly supportive. Parent associations welcomed the audit, stating it was long overdue to protect low‑income families from exploitative charges. Meanwhile, private schools argue they face rising operational costs and delayed capitation funding, forcing them to supplement revenue. Analysts caution that unless the audit leads to systematic reform, unequal access may widen — with schools in affluent areas easily absorbing costs while those serving poorer communities will either up‑charge further or downgrade services.
Looking ahead, staff from the County’s education department expect the audit to begin by February 2025, starting with institutions with the highest volume of complaints. Findings will be published publicly to ensure transparency and accountability. The goal is to establish a standardised fee‑structure template for private schools, and initiate corrective action for schools found violating fee guidelines. If successful, this audit could serve as a precedent for greater regulation of private education fees across Kenya.